Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch, circa 1940's Luminous Original Dial

$1,100
£834.65
€954.35
CA$1,536.40
A$1,708.27
CHF 891.96
MX$20,793.80
NOK 11,381.07
SEK 10,663.52
DKK 7,122.51
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 35mm X Diameter 29mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 16 Jewels / Caliber 6-0 DIAL / HANDS: Original Black with Luminous Print / Blued Steel Luminous Hands ATTACHMENT / BRACELET: Leather, 16mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a unique watch in all original condition by the legendary American house of Elgin. Our finest watchmaker has just given this watch a factory quality service and it keeps dependable time. The watch is still fitted with its original dial and hands and has a great look. It is the perfect unisex size as well. ELGIN HISTORY The Elgin National Watch Company was founded in 1864 in Elgin, Illinois, as the National Watch Company in Chicago, Illinois. In September of the same year, the founders visited the Waltham Watch Company in Waltham, Massachusetts to “poach” some of their employees. They successfully convinced seven of Waltham's watchmakers to come to work for their new company. The growing young city of Elgin, Illinois, some 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was chosen as the factory site. The Elgin Watch Company quickly became one of the leading watchmakers in the United States. In 1870, the company produced its first million watches. By 1890, Elgin was producing over two million watches per year, more than any other watch factory in the world. The company's success was due in part to its innovative manufacturing techniques and its commitment to quality. Elgin recognized that the idea of interchangeable parts was the future of all production methods. Their watches were known for their accuracy and durability. The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches. In 1910, Elgin introduced the first wristwatch that met the criteria for the railroads, even though it was not approved for use for 50 years. It was still an achievement. The company continued to produce high-quality pocket and wristwatches throughout the 20th century, and its watches were worn by celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures. As with other American companies in technology for the times they benefited from military contracts for watches for W.W. 1 and W.W. 2 as well. They built instruments for cars, planes, ships and trains as well. Elgin invented the “unbreakable” mainspring and many other technological breakthroughs. The Swiss paid licensing fees to Elgin for many of their inventions in watchmaking. Patek Philippe even used Elgin’s technology in their Balance Wheels in the 1950’s. When I started learning watchmaking in the late 1960’s I was about 13 years old. The man who was my teacher was named Norman Jarrett and he was 85 years old when I started. He had been a Foreman in the Elgin factory in the 1920’s. I learned watchmaking the old-fashioned way. He taught me, “Never fit the watch to the part” he always said, “only fit the part to the watch, or don’t start the project.” He also pointed out, “In the future someone better than you may have the skill to do it right, but you ruined the watch already because you did not have the skill.” Like most of the things he taught me, it was a rule for living life as well. Norman also said “Watchmaking is a serious craft” and shared with me a story about one of the men he worked within a shop. The man was not able to accurately adjust the timing after many hours. The next day he committed suicide. I decided that if I could not fix the watch to just put it down for a while and look at it another day. By the time they closed shop Elgin had produced over 60 million watches and left a legacy of excellence and inventions as well.
  • Creator:
  • Case Material:
  • Strap Material:
    Leather
  • Case Shape:
    Round
  • Movement:
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940's
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. It is worth noting that this watch only had a 12-month warranty when it was new. However, we are so confident of our workmanship and team that we offer an 18-month warranty on all our watches, even those over 100 years old.
  • Seller Location:
    Long Beach, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 25301stDibs: LU422324830272

More From This Seller

View All
Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch, ca 1940's with Flawless Original Dial
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 36mm X Diameter 29...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Automatic Art Deco Watch, circa 1960's with Rare Dial
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold-Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1960's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 41mm X Diameter 33...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, Yellow Gold

Elgin 14Kt Solid White Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial circa 1926
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Cushion Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt White Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1926 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 34mm, Lug Tip to Lug T...
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

White Gold

Elgin Watch Company Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Round Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 43mm Lug Tip to Lug...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa 1940's with Flawless Original Dial
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 38mm Lug Tip to Lug ...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Yellow Gold Filled Shockmaster Art Deco Watch, 1950's Flawless Dial
By Elgin
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Elgin Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Shockmaster / Reference 6761 METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Width ...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

You May Also Like

Vintage Circa 1929 Elgin 14K Yellow Gold Filled Filigree Watch
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
A stunning circa 1929 Elgin timepiece, showcasing the elegance of early 20th-century American watchmaking. The 29.5 x 30.5mm curved 14K yellow gold-filled case features intricate fil...
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Platinum Vintage Elgin Diamond Watch
By Elgin
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Ladies antique Platinum and diamond Elgin wristwatch. Stamped platinum. The back of case is lightly engraved, Noel 1934. The case without the moveme...
Category

Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco 1930s Two Color Gold Benrus Mechanical Wrist watch
By Benrus
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 True Art Deco Benrus Wrist Watch, 28 x 26 M.M. 14k White and Yellow Gold 2 piece hinged case with hand Chased design work on the top and sides. 17 Jewel, mechanical, manua...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Art Deco Rolled Gold Plate 17 Jewel Dress Watch by Elgin w/ Leather Band
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original Art Deco era gold-filled watch exudes timeless sophistication and enduring quality with a warm rolled gold casing showcasing a modern form with delicate detailing, reflectin...
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold

Vintage Elgin Octagonal Art Deco 14k Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial ladies Watch
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned Elgin Vintage Octagonal Shaped 14k White Gold Filled Silver Floral Dial Wristwatch. Patina on the Dial, Blue Hands Showing Rust. No Original Bo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin 14k White Gold Vintage Art Deco Diamond Ladies Manual Wind Watch
By Elgin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: manual Function: hours, minutes Case: round 10mm 14k white gold diamond case Dial: champagne Serial # H615XXX No box or papers. Guaranteed to be authentic by seller.
Category

20th Century Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold